Summer signing Whalley, who joined Wrexham after being released by Accrington Stanley, made his first appearance for the Reds in last night's 0-0 draw against Crewe Alexandra at The Racecourse.

An ankle injury had forced Whalley to miss Wrexham's previous two friendlies but he joined his team-mates in helping the Reds stretch their unbeaten run in pre-season at The Racecourse to three matches.

And Whalley, who lined up in attack, wants to continue to build up fitness levels with appearances in Wrexham's final two friendlies at Colwyn Bay on Saturday and Stafford Rangers the following weekend.

"I am absolutely delighted, just made up to make my first start for Wrexham," said Whalley today.

"I just needed to get out there. It has been disappointing being injured but it is just one of those things at the end of the day.

"Hopefully I can push on from here now and go on to better things.

"The ankle was just niggling all the time and it was difficult but it is getting there now.

"I have just got to start getting my fitness back ready for the start of the season.

"The first half an hour I was getting to my peak but after that, I felt a bit tired but it will come."

Whalley, equally at home on either wing, is targeting a place in the starting line-up for Wrexham's opening Blue Square Premier match against Stevenage Borough next month.

"I am obviously hoping to start the season in the first line-up so we will just have to see after a couple more friendly games," added Whalley. "That has to be the aim.

"Everyone is challenging but you have to hope, otherwise there is no point playing really if you don't want to be in the first eleven.

"I am enjoying it here and am really looking forward to the start of the season now.

"The lads are great and the management is good."

Wrexham have won one and drawn two of their home friendlies against sides from higher divisions, and manager Brian Little was pleased with the determination of his side not to concede against Crewe.

"We had to throw ourselves in front of stuff at times so the determination not to concede is good," said Little. "The attitude is spot on and I was pleased with the defensive side.

"We had a couple of free-kicks that we might have done better on, had a couple half chances and hit the post. But Crewe were a good test for us. They moved the ball around well and we had to work hard which is what it is about.

"We are looking forward to Saturday already now. It's a different type of game, a game where we might want to score a goal or two, so we will see if we can do that.

"I was quite pleased with everything. We have had three really good games here and they have been a good test for us.

"We had periods where the opposition have kept the ball off us and we have had periods where he have given them a problem or two, and had little chances ourselves."

A number of players were not risked after picking up slight injuries in the last week, but Little was still able to give 21 players a run-out
But with aiming to decide on his preferred starting line-up with the new season just over two weeks away, the recovery of injured players will dictate his plans at Colwyn Bay on Saturday.

"I am pleased with the attitude again but we are getting closer," said Little. "Now we have a couple of days to decide what our next moves are.

"We obviously had plans, but we need to sit down and see if this is the way we want to go.

"We had four or five key players injured and we need to decide whether we want to give them a whole game coming straight back.

"We have got a few niggles which obviously dictate what we are going to do on Saturday now.

"It is pleasing that the injured lads felt better being around a game and hopefully will take part on Saturday. How many fit players we have got will dictate what we do."

Two trialists were named in the Wrexham side.

Striker Adam Smith, who has been released by Chesterfield, lasted 76 minutes and midfielder Christian Smith, a former Port Vale man who was at Scottish side Clyde last season, played the whole match.

"I thought they both did okay," added Little.

"Adam played in a game at the weekend and was a bit leggy, while Christian has come out of nowhere, did the 90 minutes and did very well.

"Adam's definitely here for the week while Christian came in for the game. We will have a chat with him and take it from there.

"I think the most important thing is to find people who go straight into the first team.

"We have got a decent squad so we are looking for something more each time at the moment."

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.